ÖBB and Siemens Mobility at the introduction of their next-generation Nightjet: Night trains are around 50 times more climate-friendly than an airplane

ÖBB and Siemens Mobility at the introduction of their next-generation Nightjet: Night trains are around 50 times more climate-friendly than an airplane

• World premiere of the interior of the new sleeping and couchette car
• Modern design, greater comfort and privacy for travelers
• Total of 33 next-generation Nightjets on the rails by 2025

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 6-Sep-2022 — /EuropaWire/ — Siemens Mobility, redefining mobility with intelligent infrastructure, sustainability, passenger experience and availability and a separately managed company of Siemens AG, along with ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen), the national railway system of Austria and the administrator of Liechtenstein’s railways, have introduced the next generation of Nightjet sleeping and couchette cars at the Siemens Mobility plant in Vienna. The next-generation ÖBB Nightjet trains boast modern design, greater comfort and increased privacy and some 33 of them  will be on the rails by the end of 2025, connecting European cities overnight at speeds of up to 230 kilometers per hour in a climate-friendly way with the first trains scheduled to be in use by the end of summer 2023 on the popular routes from Austria and Germany to Italy.

“Night trains are gaining momentum throughout Europe, because they’re the climate-friendly alternative to short-haul flights. With ÖBB’s new cutting-edge Nightjet, traveling to cities such as Rome, Venice and Milan will become even easier and more comfortable. When you travel by night train, you choose the most relaxed way to travel. You also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions: Traveling with the Nightjet is around 50 times more climate-friendly than an airplane,” said Leonore Gewessler, Austria’s Federal Minister of Climate Action.

“The night train has become the epitome of sustainable travel, and our Nightjet is a synonym for night trains in Europe. For our travel guests, comfort, modern design and more privacy are becoming increasingly important, which is why ÖBB is investing in a total of 33 completely new Nightjet trains. The interior of the next-generation Nightjets will offer guests a new travel experience. With this train, we are entering a new age of nighttime travel,” said a pleased ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä.

“With the new Nightjet, we are making an important contribution to making rail travel more appealing and to achieving climate targets. The trains are highly innovative: they will be the global benchmark for years to come, and they stand out due to their comfort for travelers and their sustainability and flexibility. One particular highlight of the interior is the innovative mini cabins that offer travelers a private space to retreat. The newly developed bogies, which are lightweight and enable comfortable and energy-efficient operation throughout the entire life cycle, provide a particularly quiet ride,” said Albrecht Neumann, CEO of Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility.

Next-generation Nightjet deployed in Europe
A total of 33 next-generation Nightjets will be built at the Siemens Mobility plant in Vienna. The first trains are scheduled to be deployed by the end of summer 2023 for travel to Italy – on the routes from Vienna and Munich to Rome, Venice and Milan. By the year 2025, 33 Nightjets from the next generation will be deployed in night train travel in Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands, replacing a majority of the existing trains.

The new comfort of night train travel
The seven-car Nightjets of the next generation are each made up of two seating cars (control car and multifunction car), three couchette cars and two sleeping cars. The maximum capacity per train is 254 passengers. The layout brings together cutting-edge design with greater comfort and space. By reducing the occupancy (two-person compartment in sleeping cars; four-person compartment in couchette cars) and the novel mini cabins for those traveling by themselves, ÖBB can accommodate guests’ wish for greater privacy.

Traveling in sleeping cars is even more comfortable, as all compartments have their own toilets and showers. Additionally, fixed beds increase sleeping comfort and ensure that passengers reach their destination well rested. What is more, a cozy seating area allows passengers to relax and work, read or eat during the journey, for example.

In the new mini cabins – the individual sleeping quarters in couchette cars – the compact space features everything you need for undisturbed nighttime travel: a storage area, a movable folding breakfast table with integrated mirror, coat hooks, reading light and lockers for luggage right next door.

Going forward, the multifunction car will offer new and improved transport options: six bicycle parking spaces for all cycling enthusiasts and more space for luggage and ski or snowboarding equipment. For barrier-free travel, each new Nightjet will have a modern accessible couchette compartment as well as a bathroom that can be accessed via low-floor entry.

Technical innovations and features
Travelers can look forward to numerous technical innovations. New features on board include free Wi-Fi, which was previously limited to Railjets and the comfort couchette cars in the Nightjet. It will now be available to all passengers in the next generation of Nightjet night trains. Anyone wanting to pass the time until arrival can make use of the ÖBB Railnet onboard portal to surf the Internet, stream movies and shows and peruse the range of free magazines and newspapers.

A modern information system for passengers has been integrated in all cars and keeps travelers up to date at all times with current information on their journey. In addition to conventional power outlets, the new Nightjet also features charging options for a range of electronic devices via USB and inductive charging stations. New window panes that allow a cellular signal to pass through improve network function and ensure more stable cell phone reception. In the compartments, there is also a control panel with various convenience functions such as light controls or a button to call for service from onboard staff. Additionally, the compartments are equipped with an electronic access system that makes use of NFC cards, and all cars have video surveillance to help passengers feel even safer.

Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As a leader in transport solutions for more than 160 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio in its core areas of rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, turnkey systems, intelligent traffic systems as well as related services. With digitalization, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility operators worldwide to make infrastructure intelligent, increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience and guarantee availability. In fiscal year 2021, which ended on September 30, 2021, Siemens Mobility posted revenue of €9.2 billion and had around 39,500 employees worldwide. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/mobility.

ÖBB: Today. For tomorrow. For us.
As a provider of comprehensive mobility services, the ÖBB corporation took 323 million passengers and 94 million tons of goods to their destinations in an environmentally friendly way in 2021. One hundred percent of the electricity used on the railway lines and train stations is produced using sources of renewable energy. With a punctuality rate of around 97%, ÖBB ranks among the most reliable railway operators in Europe. With annual investments of more than €3 billion in rail infrastructure, ÖBB is building the rail system for tomorrow. Across the corporation, around 42,000 employees working on the railway and bus networks (plus around 2,000 apprentices) ensure that up to 1.3 million passengers and approximately 1,300 freight trains safely reach their destinations every day. ÖBB is the backbone of public transportation and, as Austria’s largest climate action company, gets people and goods to their destination with the environment in mind. ÖBB-Holding AG is the strategic holding company of the corporation.

Media contacts:

Eva Haupenthal
Siemens Mobility
+49 152 01654597
eva.haupenthal@siemens.com

Bernhard Rieder
ÖBB
+43 1 93000 32233
bernhard.rieder@oebb.at

SOURCE: Siemens